New Boards (and maybe Venue?)

I'm on the fence a little here - I do think that we probably need more space but I agree with Lizzy that it should be somewhere that has quite a *lot* more space. I've been to Harrisons (a couple of years ago) and it definitely ticked the box of being quiet. I didn't go into the function room but looking at the photo on their website it doesn't look *that* big. Very difficult to judge from a photo, of course. Kes - how many boards / tables of games do you think it could accommodate?

Location of Harrisons is good, and personally I'd be ok with parking a short walk away if necessary (there's generally reasonable on-road parking availability within a few mins in the direction of the RedHouse). Perhaps it's worth a trial night there to check what any noise is like from the quiz & band?

Certainly game for giving Harrison's a trial run

What about the Shakespeare? There is a largish room upstairs that we sometimes set up games days in. My concern is it may still be on the small side for our needs :/

They don't do food but have never had any issue with us bringing it in

Some pics.
This is the room we would be using.


This is the main bar.


If we continue to grow and need the extra space, I think they would move the quiz night so we can spread out into the main bar.

The problem with using a hall is that it is unlikely to be free.
The Shakespeare is a nice little pub, but I don't think it would accommodate everyone on the busy evenings. They also have live music up there, so we may be competing.

I'm inclined to say let's have a trial run at Harrison's, as per Aneurin's suggestion.

I thought the bar looked smaller... hrm.... seems we can but try it...

Drinks are generally £3 for a pint. Some stuff at £2. Soft drinks £2.20 a pint, might be able to sort a cheaper deal for us on that. Before 9, they do two cocktails for £7

Kes wrote:
If we continue to grow and need the extra space, I think they would move the quiz night so we can spread out into the main bar.

I think if they were happy to do that then there would be plenty of space.

Also - cocktails and board game pairing. I like this idea! Maybe I need to not drive there :-)

We need to see how dark it gets... they look like tiny spot lights... but hey at least they are white...

The spot lights controllably from dim to bright apparently.

Kes wrote:Drinks are generally £3 for a pint. Some stuff at £2. Soft drinks £2.20 a pint, might be able to sort a cheaper deal for us on that. Before 9, they do two cocktails for £7

So no cheaper than the Red House then?

Is that not cheaper? I only drink spirits. A double rum n coke is 3.80 here instead of 4.90 at RH.

http://www.harrisonsbar.co.uk/drinks.html

It's not a lot cheaper. It's 2.40 for a large lemonade at RH I know that. Also, do they do real ale? I know there are a bunch of ale drinkers and the RH ale is crap so I'm sure they (me included) would be happy to move somewhere with decent ale on.

I'd be happy to try Harrisons, I've been there for a wedding and know the room, but it was a disco at the time so can't really visualise how much usable space there was. We'd have to try with tables and see if we can get more games going at once than we can currently. Just need to try it I think. If there's room to grow into the main room then that could work, if they're happy to move the quiz...

If people can find near enough parking then the location is better as well. Much easier walk for me to the tram!

I think it's a bit of a catch 22 really - anywhere with drinks that are significantly cheaper is going to be quite busy (even on a Tuesday night)! I'm pretty sure that Harrisons do real ale - I vaguely recall them having one or two of the Bradfield ales and maybe something else as well.

They have a rough list of most of their drinks, without prices
http://www.harrisonsbar.co.uk/drinks.html

That mentions ale and Bradfield beer is good so that should be fine.